THAT FLOOD: “”Hello: Heavy rain in Smethport. How about the
start of the ’42 flood?””[neWLine]

Bob Hasard asked us that pertinent and rhetorical question in
regards to our inquiry about the extremely heavy rainfall on July
17 and 18, 1942.[neWLine]

We admit, it’s certainly something we should have known about
before asking for information! Nonetheless, the question has
generated some interesting fodder.[neWLine]

Harold Pier writes, “”I remember the flood in July of 1942,
although I was only 6 years old at the time. The dam that held back
Kushequa Lake threatened to break, so they dynamited the wooden
planks in the spillway, letting the water out in a more controlled
fashion and draining the lake.””[neWLine]

“”I remember watching E. Kent Kane swimming up to the spillway
to place the dynamite charge.[neWLine]

“”I enclose two entries from my brother Roland’s diary at that
time.[neWLine]

“”‘July 18, 1942: Rained most of night. Didn’t work at
Florence’s. Walked down to KQ to see flooding. Water so high dam
had to be dynamited. Came back in evening. Effects of storm drastic
all over county. Still raining.[neWLine]

“”‘July 19, 1942: Slept inside last night. Sunday school. Very
hot. Drove to Smethport. It was badly flooded. Went to see KQ Lake.
Water level down. Rained in p.m. and evening. Visited Lents. Still
hot.'””[neWLine]

And this from Neil Hoffmier: “”Must be a few ‘geezers’ around
such as I that remember the ‘flood of ’42.’ Never knew how much
rain the valley from Jewett to Smethport received, but the result
were wild. I believe the spillway in the Smethport lake gave way
(not too sure) but flood conditions started from Eldred to
Portville to Olean and Limestone.[neWLine]

“”My cousin lived between Portville and Olean, and water reached
the ceiling of the first floor.[neWLine]

“”The bridge into Olean from Derrick City road was under water…
Final result were dikes between Portville and Olean and
straightening of the river bed. Don’t really remember the damage to
Limestone but believe the water had a chance to spread out from
there south.[neWLine]

“”It took our minds off WW2 for a couple of days.
…””[neWLine]

We have some other interesting recollections of this notorious
flood which we hope to share with our readers soon.